Biography
Gong Min-jeung is a South Korean actress known for her dynamic presence in both independent cinema and television. She pursued her passion for acting academically, earning a bachelor’s degree in Film Studies from Konkuk University. Gong Min-jeung gained recognition for her roles in Hong Sang-soo’s films, including “Yourself and Yours,” “On the Beach at Night Alone,” and “Grass.” In 2020, she received the Fantastic Best Actor Special Mention Award at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival for her performance in “Zombie Crush: Heyri.” Transitioning to television, Gong Min-jeung portrayed Pyo Mi-seon, a dental nurse, in the popular Netflix series “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” (2021), and Yang Ju-ran, an assistant marketing manager, in “Marry My Husband” (2024). Her role as Na Ye-jin in “One Dollar Lawyer” earned her the Best Supporting Actress Award at the 2022 SBS Drama Awards.
Profile
- Name: Gong Min-jeung
- Birth name: Kim Min-jung
- Birthday: September 30, 1986
- Zodiac Sign: Libra
- Height: 163 cm
- Instagram: @greengreen_j
- Twitter: N/A
Career
Gong Min-jeung began her career in the early 2000s, making her acting debut in 2009 with the short film “A Perfect Sight,” directed by Kim Han-gyeol. The film garnered attention and won the Best Short Film award at the 30th Blue Dragon Film Awards, marking a significant start to her career. After graduating from Konkuk University’s Film Department, Gong Min-jeung made a name for herself by participating in a variety of independent and low-budget films. During this time, she also ventured into theater, making her stage debut in 2011 with the play “Rooftop Cat,” in which she played the role of a multi-girl.
Under the stage name Gong Min-jeung, she appeared in her first feature film, “Your Time is Up” (2011), directed by Kim Seung-hyun. In this film, she portrayed Hee-young, a femme fatale and bar hostess. The film was selected as the fifth production of the prestigious Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA) and was invited to the New Currents section of the Busan International Film Festival, where it received positive reviews. This recognition motivated Gong Min-jeung to further pursue her career in the film industry, leading her to appear in several notable films and projects.
In 2014, Gong Min-jeung starred in the short film “A Familiar Taste,” directed by Kim In-sun. In the film, she portrayed Kyung-eon, an elementary school teacher dealing with family complexities and her strained relationship with her estranged father. The film was well-received at several film festivals, including the 19th Busan International Film Festival and the 40th Seoul Independent Film Festival, where it earned numerous accolades, including the Grand Prize at the 1st Food Film Festival. This film helped solidify her status as a rising star in independent cinema.
Gong Min-jeung continued to excel in the independent film scene, starring in several films such as “Sunshine” (2015) and “Byeong-gu” (Allergy) (2015), the latter of which won the Grand Prize at the 2016 Fukuoka Independent Film Festival. Her career further progressed with significant roles in 2016, including her participation in “A Man in the Basement” and “Love Triangle,” which were featured at various international film festivals, including the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival and the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival.
Her career took a major leap in 2017 when she appeared in two of Hong Sang-soo’s films, “Yourself and Yours” and “On the Beach at Night Alone.” These films, along with her supporting role in the critically acclaimed “Grass” (2018), which premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival, brought Gong Min-jeung to the attention of a wider audience. In “Grass,” she played Mi-na, a character who navigates complicated emotions while interacting with her former friends. The film’s success at international festivals further enhanced her reputation as a versatile actress.
Gong Min-jeung also appeared in several independent films, including “Coming of Age” (2018), “I Am Home” (2019), and “Kim Ji-young: Born 1982” (2019), where she portrayed Kim Eun-young, a character that resonated with many viewers for its feminist themes. Her performance in “Kim Ji-young: Born 1982” was highly praised, and the film became a commercial success, grossing over $27 million and reaching 3.7 million admissions.
In addition to her success in film, Gong Min-jeung gained recognition on television in 2018 with roles in “Familiar Wife” and “Temperature of Love.” Her breakthrough in television came in 2021 when she starred in the hit drama “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha,” where she played Pyo Mi-seon, the warm and humorous dental hygienist who is a close friend to the main character, Yoon Hye-jin. This role, along with her performances in other dramas like “Sweet Munchies” (2020) and “Please Don’t Date Him” (2020), marked Gong Min-jeung as a rising star in the mainstream entertainment scene.
Her 2021 and 2022 work included both independent films and major commercial roles. She starred in “The Train Passed By” (2021), an independent film by Jeong Gam-won, as well as “Sprinter” (2021), which was screened at the Seoul Independent Film Festival. Her role in “The Continuing Land” (2022), an indie film by Cho Hee-young, earned her international recognition, and she continued to star in television dramas such as “Little Woman” (2022) and “One Dollar Lawyer” (2022), where her performance as Na Ye-jin earned her the Best Supporting Actress award at the 2022 SBS Drama Awards.
In 2024, Gong Min-jeung’s career saw even further success with her role in the highly popular drama “Marry My Husband,” where she portrayed Yang Joo-ran, a character who undergoes a significant transformation. The series achieved great success, ranking first in viewership among all tvN Monday-Tuesday dramas and topping global TV rankings, including on TVING and Amazon Prime Video.
Throughout her career, Gong Min-jeung has demonstrated incredible range and dedication to her craft. Whether in independent films, major commercial projects, or television dramas, she continues to captivate audiences with her compelling performances and growing talent.
Personal Life
Early Life
Gong Min-jeung was born in Jongno District, Seoul. Initially introverted, her personality began to change after her younger brother was born. A turning point came when she gave a class president election speech, which her friends found amusing, leading her to consider comedy. However, her passion for acting was sparked after watching the musical Subway Line 1 in middle school, inspiring her to pursue a career on stage.
Though hesitant at first, Gong Min-jeung eventually enrolled in the Department of Film at Konkuk University in her twenties. This decision gave her the confidence to fully commit to acting. She is eager to broaden her career through diverse experiences and aspires to continue acting with authenticity, using her distinct voice and expressions. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Film Art from Konkuk University.
Marriage
In September 2024, Gong Min-jeung married fellow actor Jang Jae-ho. The couple, who portrayed a married pair in the drama “Marry My Husband,” held a private wedding ceremony attended by close family and friends. Gong Min-jeung expressed her happiness, stating that Jang Jae-ho is her closest friend and that he made her believe in facing life better together than alone.
The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, on January 2, 2025. Gong Min-jeung announced the news on January 7, 2025, expressing her respect for all mothers and her joy over the new addition to their family.
Net Worth
As of August 2022, Gong Min-jeung’s net worth is estimated to be between $5 million and $10 million. Her consistent work in both independent and mainstream projects has significantly contributed to her substantial net worth.
Filmography
Short Films
- A Perfect Sight (2009)
- Please Please Me (2010)
- Jane, We Know (2013)
- A Familiar Taste (2014)
- Saengilkeik (2015)
- Allergy (2015)
- Greed; Ghost Light (2015)
- Terrific Weather (2016)
- Love Triangle (2016)
- A Man in the Basement (2016)
- The Distance Between Us (2016)
- Live Club Greyhound (2016)
- Alone (2017)
- A Room of One’s Own (2018)
- Coming of Age (2018)
- I Should Have Killed That Bastard (2018)
- Midday Picnic — Act 3: Call Me If You Need Me (2019)
- Two Waters and a Lighter (2020)
- Homework (2020)
- The Girl Malsook (2020)
- Schrödinger’s Deserted Island (2022)
- The Owners (2022)
- Thank You for Your Cinema (2023)
- Method Acting (TBA)
Featured Films
- Mama (2011)
- Your Time Is Up (2012)
- Sunshine (2015)
- No Tomorrow (2015)
- Beauty Inside (2015)
- Dog Eat Dog (2015)
- Yourself and Yours (2016)
- On the Beach at Night Alone (2017)
- Grass (2018)
- The Vanished (2018)
- Live Hard (2018)
- I Am Home (2019)
- The Boy from Nowhere (2019)
- Kim Ji-young: Born 1982 (2019)
- Film Adventure (2019)
- Move the Grave (2020)
- Zombie Crush in Heyri (2021)
- Kids Are Fine (2021)
- Nothing Serious (2021)
- Ssanahee Pure Love (2021)
- The Train Passed By (2021)
- Drown (Paroho) (2022)
- How Have You Been (2022)
- Sprinter (2023)
- Concrete Utopia (2023)
- The Continuing Land (2024)
Television Series
- Temperature of Love (2017)
- Familiar Wife (2018)
- Sweet Munchies (2020)
- Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)
- Little Woman (2022)
- One Dollar Lawyer (2022)
- Marry My Husband (2024)
Web Series
- Green Fever (2017)
- Top Management (2018)
- My Holo Love (2020)
- Daily Dose of Sunshine (2023)
Facts
- Her MBTI is INFP.
- She likes traveling and plants.
- She loves humor and says her ideal type is someone funny.
- On October 30, 2024, she signed an exclusive contract with Fantagio.
